Yard game

ABSTRACT

A method of playing a projectile throwing game, including defining two teams, wherein each team consists of at least two players, positioning first and second sets of goals a predetermined distance from one another to define a playing field, assigning one team to begin play as offense and the other team to begin play as defense, positioning a first offense team player to assault the first set of goals, positioning a second offense team player in the playing field, positioning a first defense team player in the playing field, positioning a second defense team player behind the first set of goals, initiating play with the first offense team player team tossing the projectile towards the second set of goals, scoring points, with each respective team alternating between defense and offense, and declaring a winner when one respective team has scored a predetermined number of points. Each respective goal is defined by a pole portion extending upwardly from ground and a hoop portion operationally connected to the pole portion and sized to accept the projectile therethrough. A turn is defined as both teams playing offense and defense, sequentially.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This patent application claims priority to co-pending U.S. Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 63/245,955, filed on Sep. 20, 2021, and also to co-pending U.S. Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 63/226,237, filed on Jul. 28, 2021, both of which are incorporated herein by reference.

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present novel technology relates to the field of games, and, more particularly, to an outdoor yard game.

BACKGROUND

Yard games are popular and ubiquitous in the summer time. There are many different yard games, and such games typically involve such particulars as underhand throwing of bags or horseshoes, throwing frisbees, tossing two balls connected by a string, and the like. Such games tend to be enjoyable lack the use of a skill more widely known to the general population due to its common use in various sports—overhand throwing a ball with a specific intended pace and accuracy—both toward another person as well as towards a mark or goal. This would make a yard game more useful in that players would practice a skill that is more widely used in sports that many of the potential players are anticipated to want to improve.

Likewise, most yard games are played at a leisurely pace, and those that urge a more active pace typically do not allow for all players to be active at once and/or to maintain a highly active pace for the duration of the game.

Thus, there remains a need for a yard game promoting the use of such skills as overhand throwing of a projectile and allowing all players to maintain a sustained level of activity for the duration of the game. The present invention addresses this need.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIGS. 1-4 are perspective views of the game apparatus as set up outdoors with players engaging in the game.

FIG. 5 is a schematic view of a goal post used to play the game.

FIG. 6 is a first schematic view of a first embodiment playing field and goal posts used to play the game.

FIG. 7 is a first schematic view of a second embodiment playing field and goal posts used to play the game.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

For the purposes of promoting an understanding of the principles of the novel technology and presenting its currently understood best mode of operation, reference will now be made to the embodiments illustrated in the drawings and specific language will be used to describe the same. It will nevertheless be understood that no limitation of the scope of the novel technology is thereby intended, with such alteration and further modifications in the illustrated elongated member and such further applications of the principles of the novel technology as illustrated therein being contemplated as would normally occur to one skilled in the art to which novel technology relates.

As seen in FIGS. 1-7 , the present invention relates to a method and apparatus of play for a ball or disk throwing or tossing game. The apparatus includes two sets of one or more, typically three, generally circular or cylindrical openings or hoops affixed to poles to define goal posts. While the hoop openings are generally circular, they may be of any convenient shape. When in use, the goal posts are positioned in an upright, vertical orientation. The apparatus of play further includes a generally spherical ball or like object capable of being thrown or tossed; in some embodiments, the tossed object may be a disc, a cylinder, or any convenient shape.

In some embodiments, a plurality of hoops are provided and each respective hoop may or may not be identical in shape or size. The game may be played with a ball or disk or any other object that may be thrown, caught, and propelled through a hoop opening.

The hoops affixed to the poles define goals or goal posts. Each respective hoop may or may not have a net, open or closed, affixed thereto in order to catch a ball thrown through the hoop. The poles, and thus the distance of the hoops from the ground, may or may not be uniform. When the game is played in a yard or on a beach, the poles may have pointed ends to allow them to be driven into the ground. If played indoors or on terrain not suited for impalement by the poles, the poles may be affixed to a wide base and/or connected at the base to the other poles of the same set so that they may stand upon being placed on the floor or ground. Likewise, the poles may be attached to floatable bases for water play. When the game is played an equal number of goals are available to both teams. For example, one goal may be placed across from another at a predetermined distance, or a set of two goals may be placed across from another set of two other goals at a predetermined distance. Alternately, when a plurality of goals are used, typically three goals, a single set of goals is set up at a predetermined location, such as at one end of the playing field for assault by whichever team is on offense. In any event, the same number of goals are available to teams.

The ball is thrown or tossed at each goal or set of goals in turn using a prescribed set of rules and each successful throw (a throw that results in a ball going through a hoop or contacting a goal) is scored with a winner being declared when one player or team reaches a score of exactly twenty-one or some other predetermined number.

Example 1 Object of the Game:

Players, typically playing as a team of two partners, attempt to propel a ball towards a set of one or more, in this example three goals. During play, one team acts as the offense or aggressor, while the other acts as defense or defender. These roles switch back and forth during play. One aggressor stays behind a line marked by a post and begins a turn by propelling the ball either towards the opposite set of goals or towards the other aggressor who must remain between the post and the halfway point to the set of three goals. Likewise, the assisting aggressor may throw towards the set of three goals or back to their partner aggressor. Ultimately, one of the aggressors will propel the ball towards the set of three goals. One opposing player (defender) defends the set of three goals while remaining in between the set of three goals and the post. The other defender must remain behind the three goals. Once both partners have started a turn then the partners of the opposing team take their turns as aggressors. The game continues alternating team turns until an exact score of 21 is reached or there is an Instant Win scored.

Scoring:

Hit 1 Point - Either partner throws the ball and makes contact with any of the goals Assist 2 Points - Starter tosses ball to partner who throws the ball through any of the hoops Goal 3 Points - Starter throws the ball through any of the hoops Interception 1 Point - Either defender catches the ball at any point prior to it hitting the ground Free Throw 1 Point - Player that intercepts makes undefended throw and hits post from spot of the catch Instant Win Game Over Either defender successfully swats the ball into the post during play

Additional points may be scored if a turn results in multiple goals being contacted prior to a turn ending, but not the same goal twice during one turn.

General Rules:

-   -   1. Turn starts once a member of both teams announce “Ready”.         Starting player's feet must always remain behind the post.         Assister's feet always remain between the post and the halfway         point towards the three goals. Ball may be thrown back and forth         by aggressors or towards goals. An aggressor may not move,         except to pivot about a planted foot, while in possession of the         ball but may move when not in possession of the ball. Players         may move horizontally across the playing surface as far as they         desire.     -   2. One defender may move between the post and the set of goals.         Second defender remains behind the goals. At the point of first         contact with the ball by a defender, both defenders may move         about freely without restriction for the remainder of the turn.         Defenders may not reach through hoops from behind.     -   3. A turn ends when the ball contacts the ground or is         intercepted by defense and a free throw is attempted.     -   4. Aggressors and defenders may not impede each other with         contact and defenders may not contact ball while it is held by         aggressors. Defender will be at fault for contact that occurs         during a throwing motion.     -   5. Defenders may catch or strike the ball before and after it         contacts a goal. Striking the ball one or more times without         holding or carrying the ball can result in the ball hitting a         goal or travelling through a hoop, whether accidentally or         strategically, and scoring points for the aggressors. Striking         the ball may also result in the ball contacting the post prior         to hitting the ground and thus winning the game. Once one         defender strikes the ball then the other defender may also         strike the ball in order to achieve these results. However, once         a defender has struck the ball with a single body part during a         turn, a second touch by that same defender will void any attempt         at an Instant Win unless an aggressor once again contacts the         ball and thus “cancels” or “resets” any prior defensive contact.         Aggressors may defend attempts to score an Instant Win while         minding their movement limitations and may even get the ball         back to continue their turn.     -   6. Aggressors and defenders must each play both roles during a         set of two turns but may change the order from one sequence to         the next.     -   7. Rule violations by defenders will result in 3 points for the         aggressors (or 1 or 2 points if the aggressors' current score is         20 or 19). Rule violations by aggressors will result in no         points awarded for that turn except defending a free throw which         will result in 1 point for the defenders.     -   8. A team must reach an exact score of 21 points to win the         game. If a turn results in points that increase the score above         21 points, the score is instead reduced by the number of points         scored that turn.     -   9. Teams must complete an equal number of turns before the game         can end. With the exception of the occurrence of an Instant Win         the team that did not start the game will take the last turn.     -   10. In the event of a tie there will be a tie-break round. Each         team will take an additional turn and the team with the most         points in that turn is the winner. Tie-break rounds continue         until there is a winner.

Example 2 Object of the Game:

Game consists of two teams of two partners that stand opposite each other and take turns playing offense. One offensive partner stands behind one goal and throws the ball towards the opposing goal. The other partner redirects (one touch/no carrying) the ball back towards the goal as needed. Ball can contact or travel through the goal from either direction. Defenders may attempt to intercept the ball as detailed below. Offensive partners take turns throwing towards their opposing goals. After both partners have thrown the ball, the other team takes its' turn on offense. Score exactly 21 points to win the game.

Scoring:

Strike 1 Point - The ball contacts any part of goal or net, with or without partner assistance. Alley-Oop 2 Points - Ball is thrown and then redirected through goal by partner (most easily done by throwing the ball past or over the goal for partner to redirect) Goal 3 Points - Ball is thrown through goal without assistance by partner Interception 1 Point - Defensive player catches ball after it has been redirected by offense (point for defense) Instant Win Game Over Partner redirects ball through goal AFTER it makes contact with any part of the goal

General Rules:

-   -   1. On offense, thrower must remain behind goal while throwing         towards opposite goal. Redirecting offensive partner must remain         behind the other goal while redirecting.     -   2. Defender that is located at same goal as the redirecting         offensive partner may intercept the ball only after it has been         contacted or redirected by offense, but must remain in between         the two goals at all times. Interceptions cancel any points         scored by offense that throw in addition to scoring a point for         the defense.     -   3. A turn ends when the ball contacts the ground, travels         through a goal opening, or is intercepted.     -   4. Rule violations which interfere with play by defenders will         result in 3 points for offense (or 1 or 2 points if the score is         20 or 19). Similar violations by offense will result in no         points scored that throw.     -   5. If a turn results in points that increase the score above 21         points, the score is instead reduced by the number of points         scored that throw.     -   6. With the exception of an Instant Win, Teams must complete an         equal number of turns before the game can end.     -   7. In the event of a tie there will be a tie-break round. Each         team will take an additional turn and the team with the most         points in that turn is the winner. Tie-break rounds continue         until there is a winner.

Example 3 Object of the Game:

Partners throw and redirect a ball at or through a set of three goals. One partner throws the ball from anywhere behind the starting line either at or beyond (typically over) the goals. One partner must remain behind the goals and redirects (one touch/no carrying) the ball back towards the goals as needed. The ball may contact a goal from either side. Defenders remain between the starting line and the goals and may redirect or catch the ball if possible. Offensive players play both offensive roles and then switch roles with defenders. Exactly 21 points wins the game.

Scoring:

Strike 1 Point - The ball contacts any part of a goal or net, with or without partner assistance. Alley-Oop 2 Point - Ball is thrown past (typically over) the goals and is redirected through goal by partner Goal 3 Points - Ball is thrown through a goal without assistance by partner Interception 1 Point - Either defender catches the ball any time before it touches ground (point for defenders) Instant Win Game Over Offensive player redirects ball through goal AFTER it has touched a defender or a goal

General Rules:

-   -   1. A turn consists of two throws, one by each partner.         Redirecting partner may redirect the ball with exactly one touch         (no catching or carrying the ball) at any point prior to ball         contacting the ground.     -   2. Defensive players may intercept the ball either before or         after it has been redirected by offense. Interceptions cancel         any points scored by the offense that throw.     -   3. A turn ends when the ball contacts the ground, travels         through a goal opening, or is intercepted.     -   4. Rule violations which interfere with play by defenders will         result in 3 points for offense (or 1 or 2 points if the score is         20 or 19). Similar violations by offense will result in no         points scored that throw.     -   5. If a throw results in points that increase the score above 21         points, the score is instead reduced by the number of points         scored that throw.     -   6. With the exception of an Instant Win, Teams must complete an         equal number of turns before the game can end.     -   7. In the event of a tie there will be a tie-break round. Each         team will take an additional turn and the team with the most         points in that turn is the winner. Tie-break rounds continue         until there is a winner.

While the invention has been illustrated and described in detail in the drawings and foregoing description, the same is to be considered as illustrative and not restrictive in character. It is understood that the embodiments have been shown and described in the foregoing specification in satisfaction of the best mode and enablement requirements. It is understood that one of ordinary skill in the art could readily make a nigh-infinite number of insubstantial changes and modifications to the above-described embodiments and that it would be impractical to attempt to describe all such embodiment variations in the present specification. Accordingly, it is understood that all changes and modifications that come within the spirit of the invention are desired to be protected. 

1. A method of playing a projectile throwing game, comprising: defining two teams, wherein each team consists of at least two players; defining a playing field; positioning at least one goal at a predetermined position on the playing field; assigning one team to begin play as offense and the other team to begin play as defense; positioning a first offense team player to assault the at least one goal; positioning a second offense team player in the playing field; positioning a first defense team player in the playing field; positioning a second defense team player to defend the at least one goal; initiating play with the first offense team player team tossing the projectile towards the at least one goal; scoring points, with each respective team alternating between defense and offense; declaring a winner when one respective team has scored a predetermined number of points; wherein each respective goal is defined by a pole portion extending upwardly from ground and a hoop portion operationally connected to the pole portion and sized to accept the projectile therethrough; and wherein a turn is defined as both teams playing offense and defense, sequentially.
 2. The method of claim 1 wherein the projectile is a ball.
 3. The method of claim 1 wherein the at least one goal includes three spaced goal posts.
 4. The method of claim 3 wherein each respective spaced goal post has a unique length.
 5. The method of claim 1 wherein one point is awarded when the projectile contacts the at least one goal; wherein two points are awarded when the projectile is thrown by a first player and redirected through the at least one goal by a teammate; wherein three points are awarded when the projectile is thrown through the at least one goal without assistance by a teammate; and wherein one point is awarded to the defense when a defense player catches the projectile after it has been redirected by an offense player.
 6. The method of claim 5 wherein the game is instantly won when an offense team player redirects the projectile through the at least one goal after the projectile has made contact with a member of the group consisting of the at least one goal, a defender, and combinations thereof.
 7. The method of claim 1 wherein one point is awarded when the projectile contacts the at least one goal; wherein two points are awarded when the projectile is thrown by a first player and redirected through the at least one goal by a teammate; wherein three points are awarded when the projectile is thrown through the at least one goal without assistance by a teammate; and wherein one point is awarded to the defense when a defense player catches the projectile before it touches the ground.
 8. The method of claim 1 wherein gameplay includes the first offense player must remain behind a predetermined position on the playing field while throwing the projectile towards the at least one goal, while the second offense player must remain behind the predetermined position on the playing field while redirecting the projectile; wherein the defense player located at the at least one goal may intercept the projectile only after it has been contacted by a respective offense player and must remain on the playing field at all times; wherein interception of the projectile by a defense player cancels any points scored by an offense player for that throw and scores a point for the defense; wherein a turn ends when a member of the group consisting of the projectile ball contacts the ground, the projectile travels through the at least one goal, and the projectile is intercepted occurs; wherein rule violations which interfere with play by defenders result in up to 3 points for offense; wherein rule violations by offense result in no points scored that throw; and wherein if a turn results in points that increase the score above 21 points, the score is instead reduced by the number of points scored that throw; wherein with the exception of an Instant Win, teams must complete an equal number of turns before the game can end.
 9. A method of playing a game, comprising the steps of: a) providing a game system including first and second sets of spaced elevated goal hoops defining a playing field therebetween; b) forming first and second two-player teams; c) designating first two player team to start play as offense and second two player team to start play as defense; d) positioning one respective player on first two-player team adjacent the first set of goals and positioned opposite the playing field and positioning the other respective player on the first two-player team in the playing field; e) positioning one respective player on second two-player team adjacent the second set of goals and positioned opposite the playing field and positioning the other respective player on the second two-player team in the playing field; f) initiating play by tasking first player on first two-player team to throw a projectile towards the second set of goals; g) accumulating points; and h) reassigning first two-player team to defense and second two-player team to offense; i) declaring the first team to accumulate a predetermined number of points the winner.
 10. The method of claim 9 wherein the predetermined number of points is
 21. 11. The method of claim 9 wherein each respective set of goals includes three spaced goal posts; and wherein each respective goal post has a generally circular hoop portion operationally connected to a post portion.
 12. The method of claim 3 wherein the respective goal posts have different lengths.
 13. The method of claim 1 wherein one point is awarded when the projectile contacts the goal; wherein two points are awarded when the projectile is thrown by a first player and redirected through goal a teammate; wherein three points are awarded when the projectile is thrown through goal without assistance by a teammate; and wherein one point is awarded to the defense when a defense player catches the projectile after it has been redirected by an offense player.
 14. The method of claim 5 wherein the game is instantly won when an offense team player redirects the projectile through a goal after the projectile has made contact with the goal.
 15. The method of claim 1 wherein one point is awarded when the projectile contacts the goal; wherein two points are awarded when the projectile is thrown by a first player and redirected through goal a by teammate; wherein three points are awarded when the projectile is thrown through goal without assistance by a teammate; and wherein one point is awarded to the defense when a defense player catches the projectile before it touches the ground. 